Discussion of Oil & Gas Suit Dominates Flood Board Meeting

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Supporters of a southeast Louisiana flood control board's lawsuit against oil and gas companies greeted the board with enthusiastic applause as its monthly meeting was gaveled to order.

More than a dozen stood and applauded at Thursday's opening of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, which oversees three New Orleans-area levee districts. They were scattered among an audience of about 70 to 80.

The authority's lawsuit seeks damages from oil gas and pipeline companies over loss of coastal wetlands that provide a natural buffer from storms. It says dredging for canals and pipelines that have contributed greatly to wetlands loss.

The suit has been harshly criticized by Gov. Bobby Jindal, some state lawmakers and the oil and gas industry.